So let me start by saying I have been changing my own oil on everything I own for over a decade. Yesterday, during the first oil change on my brand new 2014 R6 I filled to the specified amount. I checked dipstick and was right at the max mark. Thought I would go for a quick ride, recheck level, and done. 200 feet out of the driveway, the oil light comes on. I pull over immediately and shut engine. Dipstick reads right on the Minimum mark. I top off, for a total of 3 quarts. No big deal I think. Right?
So I proceed to go for a quick ride. Come back after 5 miles or so and put my right foot down and find it covered with oil. Glad I didn't drop the bike. Realize I left the oil fill cap off. I recheck the level and it still reads at the Maximum mark so I didn't lose much. Seems it splattered out a few times, either during the few half-throttle pulls or hard shifts, don't know. The fill cap only CONTAINS the oil right, or is it crucial for pressure somewhere in the system? I wouldn't worry about it on a car but on a motorcycle the same oil is lubing my clutch and transmission too. I'm not so sure how this works on motorcycles. PLEASE help me put my mind at ease. I'm couldn't sleep thinking I ruined my bike before I put 600 miles on it.
So I proceed to go for a quick ride. Come back after 5 miles or so and put my right foot down and find it covered with oil. Glad I didn't drop the bike. Realize I left the oil fill cap off. I recheck the level and it still reads at the Maximum mark so I didn't lose much. Seems it splattered out a few times, either during the few half-throttle pulls or hard shifts, don't know. The fill cap only CONTAINS the oil right, or is it crucial for pressure somewhere in the system? I wouldn't worry about it on a car but on a motorcycle the same oil is lubing my clutch and transmission too. I'm not so sure how this works on motorcycles. PLEASE help me put my mind at ease. I'm couldn't sleep thinking I ruined my bike before I put 600 miles on it.
Last edited: